Tag: Dragon King

DragonKingKarl: When Farmer Burns beat the original Strangler Lewis

Posted on by Karl Stern

Join me on the podcast dealing with the pioneer era of pro wrestling.

Taken from the pages of my book DragonKingKarl’s Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Omnibus available at Amazon, we are detailing the events of the last decade of the pioneer era of pro wrestling, the 1890s. Martin ‘Farmer’ Burns has been on the rise and the star of the moment of the brutal Evan ‘Strangler’ Lewis, the original ‘Strangler’ of pro wrestling. So, when the two finally meet for the American heavyweight championship, it was supposed to have ushered in a big new era in pro wrestling history, and it did, just not the way anyone expected. Evan ‘Strangler’ Lewis’ reputation as the most real wrestler in America took a tumble with this match and it changed pro wrestling forever.

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DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: Sid Vicious, Sting, Antonio Inoki

Posted on by Karl Stern

This week on my podcast I mention the passing of one of my favorites, Sid Vicious. Plus we look at more history from Madison Square Garden as Ed Strangler Lewis returns, the finals of the Greatest Kayfabe Tournament are set as Sting takes on Antonio Inoki, plus we dive into a 1984 pro wrestling magazine for a look at the Von Erichs, Ted DiBiase, and many more. Join me for a deep dive into pro wrestling history.

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DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: USWA 1991 TV review

Posted on by Karl Stern

This week’s retro TV review looks back at the September 21,1991, edition of USWA Wrestling…or, as it should have been called, The Eric Embry Hour.

I found this one on YouTube. It features the Dirty White Boy, Dutch Mantel, Jeff Jarrett, Tom Pritchard, and other southern luminaries as the battle between Texas and Tennessee is starting to heat up. However, Bill Dundee just flat out no-shows.

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DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: Heroes of Wrestling, 20 years later

Posted on by Karl Stern

You asked for it. You said, “Hey Karl, we like your new burn it to the ground attitude” and “Hey Karl, more snark please.”

So what did I do? I watched what is commonly thought of as the worst pay per view in the history of pro wrestling, the 1999 Heroes of Wrestling PPV, a show that happened 20 years ago last month.

I can tell you that you have been lied to. Part of this show wasn’t as bad as you’ve been led to believe but part of it is much worse. Much, much, worse.

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DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: 1980 in pro wrestling, pt. 2

Posted on by Karl Stern

On this edition of the longform history of pro wrestling series, I continue my deep dive into 1980 including Verne Gagne not being able to give up the AWA world title and putting himself over Nick Bockwinkel, the continued rise of Hulk Hogan, the retirement tour of Jackie Fargo, Roger Smith and Don Bass, the Iron Sheik, The Assassins, and much more.

If you missed part 1, check that out and join me on my look at this important year in pro wrestling. 

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DragonKingKarl Greatest Kayfabe Tournament: Terry Funk vs. Daniel Bryan

Posted on by Karl Stern

One of the most interesting matches in round one of the Greatest Kayfabe Tournament takes place today and you, the listeners, voted and picked a winner.

On a new DragonKingKarl podcast, I discuss the careers and history of former NWA and ECW World Champion Terry Funk and his opponent, modern era star, one of the greatest mat wrestlers in history, and multi-time WWE Champion, Daniel Bryan.

Two of the greatest from two different eras collide today in this look at Funk and Bryan.

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Karl Stern Classic Wrestling Show: Edouard Carpentier

Posted on by Karl Stern

On this edition of the DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Audio Show, our long form history of pro wrestling reaches the mid-1950s.

We talk in detail about the NWA World title reign of Edouard Carpentier which spawned the WWA World title and, in a way, lead to the creation of the AWA World title and why you won’t find Carpentier listed in the record books as NWA World champion.

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DragonKing Karl Classic Wrestling Marathon: Day one begins with Sempervive

Posted on by Karl Stern

It is day one of the July Classic Wrestling Marathon and we kick off the month talking with Mike Sempervive about a variety of topics including Mid-Atlantic wrestling, Dick Slater, Barry Windham, Ric Flair, WWF, tag team wrestling, various territorial promotions, and much more. It’s Sin Sort of Limite!

The Karl Stern Classic Wrestling Marathon has been a July event for several years with a new classic wrestling audio show posted every single day in the month of July. This year there will be a variety of topics, as well as special guests so stick around all month!

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DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: Pro wrestling longform history, pt. 9

Posted on by Karl Stern

Host Karl Stern wraps up the 1800s in the latest of his ongoing longform series of the history of early professional wrestling wth some really interesting stories involving one of the most colorful characters of the pioneer era: the Terrible Turk.

Also on the show:

  • The end of the 1800s and the rise of/early careers of Frank Gotch and George Hackenschmidt
  • The match that exposed wrestling as being “fake” between Farmer Burns and Strangler Evan Lewis
  • Farmer Burns “discovers” Frank Gotch
  • The Terrible Turk takes America by storm, debuts a finishing move that is still used in WWE, and then dies
  • More on Tom Jenkins

Subscribers can click below to listen.

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DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: A Longform History of Wrestling Part 8

Posted on by Karl Stern

We are up to the 1880s through the 1890s and in this episode, we take a look at the prime era of Evan Strangler Lewis and his battles with other top names of the era.  He is also, apparently, a horrible promo with a great newspaper promo from him.

Also, we see one of our first giants in wrestling as well as the origins of women’s wresting.

Talking points:

  • Evan “Strangler” Lewis rises to fame and takes on all comers, plus a terrible newspaper promo
  • Who is the Michigan Giant?
  • The origins of women’s wrestling in America
  • The earliest tours of pro wrestling in Japan
  • The winding down of the career of William Muldoon

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Karl Stern’s Classic Wrestling July Marathon: The Complete Collection

Posted on by Karl Stern

Every year, Karl Stern embarks on a month-long journey taking listeners through a daily dose of classic wrestling goodness. This year was no different as the Dragon King did 32 shows over 31 days with focuses on well-known guys like Lex Luger, Arn Anderson, and Jushin Liger, while also spotlighting enhancement workers, wrestlers who paint their face, and even the late, great Muhammad Ali.

Below, you’ll find all of Karl’s July Classic Wrestling Marathon in alphabetical order, available now for subscribers. Enjoy!

To listen to more Stern, head to our Radio Show archive page, select ‘Dragon King’ and pick a month. 

DragonKingKarl Show: Paul Heyman hypocrisy, mailbag, wrestling history

Posted on by Karl Stern

Photo of Mike Jackson selling his “broken shoulder” by Karl Stern

This is the first of two mailbag heavy shows with a broad range of questions and topics. Email your questions for the next mailbag show now!

On this show, topics and questions include:

– Undisputed world heavyweight champions including champions from the past such as Ed “Strangler” Lewis and Frank Gotch and how the world title split into various championships

– Paul Heyman hypocrisy and a very good question on whether or not he is getting a free pass from journalists

– Promoting indy shows in the 1990s and who was a pleasure to work with

– The most insane publication, maybe in history, the National Police Gazette…and much more!  

This show literally has something from everyone from the Civil War era to today, hitting almost every era in between. When you can talk about wrestlers as diverse as Frank A. Gotch, Shane Douglas, Mike Jackson, Demolition, and Verne Gagne, that is a great show!

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Dragon King Dark – Episode 007 – Music for the mind

Posted on by Dan Velten

DragonKing Dark – Episode 007 – Music for the Mind!

On this episode Karl Stern talks about music that fits the supernatural, occult, science fiction, and mysterious!  Included in the discussion are Pink Floyd, Rush, Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, Deep Purple, Dio, Led Zeppelin, and many more! Music has long been used to invoke imagery of science, sorcery, and magic.  From the dystopian space odyssey of 2112 to the mindscape sounds of Dark Side of the Moon to the sinister tones of NIB this show is all about music for the mind!  Who hasn’t heard tales of supposed – real or imagined – messages hidden in legendary songs?  Tales of space battles by Rush, madness by Pink Floyd, monsters and sorcery by Dio, and even… maybe… SATAN by Black Sabbath.  Music is awesome and I hope you will join me on an exploratory tale through some of my favorite music of all time.

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Dragon King Karl Audio: Lizmark, Star Wars spoilers, a little rock’n’roll

Posted on by F4W Staff

This week’s show is a change of pace to wrap up 2015 with the only wrestling talk being the death of luchadore Lizmark who was a major career rival of Karl’s mentor in pro wrestling, the late Ken Timbs. Timbs and Lizmark had a big feud in CMLL in the late 1980s over one of the major championships in Mexico.

After that, it’s all off topic:

– The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees have been announced for this year and Karl talks about the merits of Chicago, N.W.A., Steve Miller Band, Cheap Trick, and Deep Purple in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Being a big Chicago fan dating back to the 1970s, Karl tells you what makes them great (and what doesn’t). He also talks about why major bands with huge success and staying power have been historically overlooked by the Hall of Fame.  

– Then, the second half of the show is all Star Wars: The Force Awakens spoilers. In fact, there’s so many spoilers that Don Jardine would say “Whoa! That’s a lot of Spoilers!”.  Enjoy but do not listen if you don’t want to be spoiled! 

Sit back and enjoy the final DragonKingKarl Show of 2015 and may the force be with you!

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Dragon King Karl Classic Wrestling Audio: WWE Network’s new additions examined

Posted on by F4W Staff

On this week’s show, the conversation is about all the new classic, old-school wrestling shows which have been added lately to the WWE Network.

Finally taking advantage of their incredible tape library, WWE has finally added a sizeable amount of classic content to the online network. Included among the newly added material is NWA World Championship Wrestling from TBS, late-era AWA, Mid-South Srestling, Smoky Mountain Wrestling, more World Class Championship Wrestling, Global Wrestling Federation, and even some Stampede Wrestling from Calgary…for a few days anyway.

Karl also discusses the animated David Crockett and apparently, his dog hates him.  Who knew?  Then in the second half of the show, Karl takes a few questions out of the mailbag including some follow up emails from the Monsters Of Wrestling show he did back around Halloween. We learn more about the Los Angeles Monster and hockey masked maniacs.

Please check out the Super Stern Stick Flash Drive from Karl’s website to take advantage of a holiday season special offer!

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